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How to Change Your Android Keyboard

Your Android keyboard is one of the most frequently used apps on your phone. The default keyboard that comes with your device may not suit your preferences or typing style. Fortunately, Android offers a wide selection of alternative keyboard apps to meet your needs. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to change your Android keyboard.

Why Change Your Keyboard?

Here are some common reasons for changing your default Android keyboard:

  • Better autocorrect and predictions: Alternative keyboards often have more advanced text prediction and correction capabilities compared to stock keyboards. This can reduce typos and speed up typing.
  • Specialized features: Many third-party keyboards have unique capabilities not found in the default keyboard, like integrated search, GIF support, and translation tools.
  • Increased privacy: Some keyboards collect less user data than others. If privacy is a concern, an alternate open-source keyboard may be preferred.
  • Customization: Alternative keyboards usually offer more themes, layouts, and personalization options to tailor the experience to your preferences.
  • Sync across devices: Keyboard apps that sync provide a consistent experience across all your devices.

How to Download a New Keyboard

Downloading a new keyboard from the Google Play Store is quick and easy:

  1. Open the Play Store app on your Android device.
  2. Search for “keyboard” or the name of the keyboard you want to install. Some top options include Gboard, SwiftKey, Grammarly, and Chrooma.
  3. Tap the Install button for your keyboard of choice.
  4. Wait for the app to finish downloading and installing.

Some keyboards may require you to enable permissions or create an account during setup. Follow any on-screen setup prompts after installing the app.

How to Change Your Default Keyboard

Once your new keyboard is installed, you can set it as the default across your device:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Languages & Input.
  2. Tap Virtual Keyboard or On-screen Keyboard.
  3. Enable the keyboard you want to use as the default by tapping the toggle switch.
  4. Confirm changing the default keyboard when prompted.

Your chosen keyboard will now replace the stock keyboard across all apps on your device.

Repeat this process to change the default back or switch to another installed keyboard at any time.

How to Switch Between Multiple Keyboards

The beauty of Android is you can have multiple keyboard apps installed and easily switch between them:

  • Tap the keyboard icon in the bottom corner while a keyboard is open.
  • Select the keyboard you want to switch to from the list.
  • Repeat to toggle between your enabled keyboards.

This makes it easy to use different keyboards for different purposes.

Customizing Your Android Keyboard

Most third-party keyboards allow customizing the layout, theme, sounds, and other preferences:

To customize Gboard:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Languages & Input > Virtual Keyboard > Gboard
  2. Tap Preferences or Themes to personalize your keyboard

For other keyboards:

  1. Open the keyboard’s app
  2. Access Settings or Themes to customize the keyboard
  3. Try different options like themes, sounds, and layouts

Experiment with the available settings to optimize your keyboard for your usage and preferences.

Top Keyboard Apps for Android

While Android offers endless keyboard options, these apps consistently rise to the top:

Gboard

Google’s own keyboard app comes pre-installed on many Android devices. Pros:

  • Intelligent autocorrect and predictions
  • Glide typing, handwriting, and voice input
  • GIF and emoji search
  • No ads or paid version

SwiftKey

Microsoft’s popular SwiftKey keyboard has robust autocorrect powered by AI. Pros:

  • Next-word prediction
  • Clipboard syncing
  • Multiple language support
  • Themes and customization

Grammarly

The Grammarly keyboard integrates writing enhancement:

  • Contextual grammar, punctuation, and spell-check
  • Readability metrics and vocabulary enhancement suggestions
  • Ad-free

Chrooma

Chrooma automatically adapts its color theme to match the app you’re using for a unique experience.

Simple Keyboard

As the name suggests, Simple Keyboard has no frills but may appeal to users prioritizing privacy and lightweight apps. It’s also fully customizable.

The Benefit of Switching Keyboards on Android

The ability to replace your keyboard is a prime example of the increased personalization and customization that attracts many users to Android. With a bit of experimentation, you can likely find an alternative keyboard that makes typing on your device more efficient, accurate, and enjoyable based on your requirements and preferences. Take advantage of Android’s open ecosystem to find the best keyboard solution for you.

About the Author

John has over 5 years of experience covering consumer technology and software applications for online publications. He is an avid Android enthusiast and regularly provides advice on customizing and getting the most out of Android devices. When he’s not writing about technology, John enjoys photography, cooking, and exploring the outdoors.

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